The Two Elders
The old man who ca out of the mist was much smaller than I had imagined. When sensing him at first, I had gotten the impression of soone very large. But this person was thin, much like a dead tree.
He wore nothing but his clothes. And he was unard.
However, I was still not foolish enough to think that this stranger was completely harmless. I needed to know who he was first.
The old man spoke calmly.
I have no na worth saying. But let see, you can call the Elder of the Mist.
It was not very imaginative, but I didnt say anything. Besides, it did not seem like he was joking.
I could sense power from him. This was soone who could overwhelm others. However, he was also calm, and showed no signs of aggression.
I felt it imdiately. If I fought against him, I would lose. This was a being who was above .
At the very least, this was not a battle that could be won with military might.
And so naturally, I bowed my head and went to one knee. Upon seeing this, the old man chuckled.
There is no need for that. Bowing as well. I am just an old man. And you are a Demon King.
However, I can tell that you are soone important. And Ive been told to respect my elders.
Youve been educated well, then. I will accept this show of respect.
Elder of the Mist, why have you co to visit ?
Why indeed. I was rely searching for mushrooms when I got lost. Im looking for my companion.
You must be joking. I feel that fate is related to this. Either that or so plot.
You want to find aning in everything dont you, Demon King of Strategy? It is a bad habit.
However, this encounter with you is surely fate. And so I must ask you to share with your teachings.
We have only t, and now you want to be my apprentice? Besides, dont you have sothing else you should be doing?
Yes. We must slay a dragon, and then head to the counts lands.
You talk as if you are taking a walk in the park. You have no doubts of your victory.
Yes, I have no intention of dying in a place like this. Nor will I fall into the hands of the count.
That is good to hear. Indeed, up until now, you have used your knowledge to overco all manner of adversity. Im sure you will continue to do great things.
However, there are limits. And so I must reach higher. Your teachings could help .
Well, you do know how to flatter an old man. Let seecan you kill the dragon by tomorrow?
I will be rid of it before the sun falls.
Then co back to this place at dawn, tomorrow. And I will teach you sothing about tactics.
Do you an it?
I do not tell lies.
The old man declared, and then turned his back away. He said that he wanted to continue his mushroom hunting and reunite with his attendant.
I asked him if he needed help searching, but he refused. You have your own job to do, he replied. And it was true. I needed to defeat the dragon and save the village.
After that, the old man disappeared into the mist.
A silence fell over the area then. It was as if the old man was never there.
During that ti, in the sa place
Toshizou Hijikata had left in order to relieve himself. He got up from the tree stump and entered the bushes. That was when the mist closed in.
He was surprised, as it all happened so quickly, but then again, such things sotis happened in this world. It wasnt like Tama or Kyoto.
Still, there was so much mist that he had to stop in his tracks. It would be too dangerous to return now while relying on his instincts alone.
If he couldnt return, that ant he might be cut off from the Demon King. As they did not know when the dragon might attack Jeanne, there was little ti to waste.
And so he finished relieving himself and then decided to wait for the mist to clear. After so ti, he felt a presence close by.
But he did not reach for his weapon, because he realized that the person was not hostile or even ard. Otherwise, he would have cut him imdiately.
Without any sense of sha, the man stood next to Toshizou and began to relieve himself as well.
Its been a while since I last did this while next to soone. He laughed.
Though, Toshizou wasnt sure, as the man wore a fox mask.
The kind that you might see soone wearing during a festival.
That mask. Are you from Hinomoto?
The man answered calmly.
Yes. I am from Hinomoto.
What do you want? Have you co to kill ?
Hardly. I dont even have a sword. And I am old. Can an old man kill the demon vice-captain?
You certainly urinate like an old man.
He chuckled. So did the stranger.
Still, you must have so other reason for coming here. Who are you?
How sad. Have you forgotten the face of an old acquaintance?
Unfortunately, I dont know any foxes.
I see. I could take off my mask, but that would be so boring.
No, it wouldnt. Now take it off.
I think I will wait until you rember .
The man said as he took a step back. The movent was very smooth. Perhaps he had realized that Toshizou was going to split the mask open with his sword.
You dont move like an old man. I doubt I would forget soone like you.
Well, my voice has changed. I lived for decades after your death.
Are you a friend from the Shinsengumi?
Im surprised to hear you use the word friend.
Maybe Ive softened.
Ah, but it is a good change. Your subordinates in this world must be happy.
The old man said with a nostalgic expression, and then he turned away.
This really was just a coincidence. I was climbing the mountain as soones guard, and bumped into you. We will surely et again. But this is it for today. Now, I only hope you realize who I am.
The old man said, and then disappeared into the mist.
Toshizou didnt follow. As the old man said, he thought they would et again. And not too far into the future.
After that, the mist began to fade as if it had never been there. And Toshizou and I reunited on our tree stumps.
And while we had both had odd encounters, neither of us brought it up.
Indeed, they felt like encounters that would affect our fates greatly, but we did not speak of it.
As I sat on the tree stump and thought back on what had happened, I realized that the talisman around my neck was glowing.
Apparently, Jeanne had t the dragon. I looked at Toshizou and we imdiately switched gears.
We must go before the dragon takes a bite out of the Saint.
I said jokingly, and Toshizou replied.
I think its the other way around. If left alone, she might eat the dragon.
Youre right. Lets return to her while there is still so dragon at left.
I said, and then we rushed through the trees.
The Legendary Rebuilding of a World by a Realist Demon King
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